2.0 Analysis 2.1 The Weather The pilot was given a weather briefing before departure from Nebraska about a storm system moving through the Great Lakes Region and the IFR conditions that were associated with the system. The briefing included forecast conditions which also cited thunderstorm activity in the area for the entire period. While en route at a time of 1542, the pilot was advised by ATC that he could expect to encounter some weather sixty miles ahead of his position. Again, at 1601, the pilot was advised by ATC that he was about to encounter a line of thunderstorms which were twenty miles ahead of his position. One minute later, another ATC agency advised the pilot of thunderstorm cell activity in the area. It could not be determined why the pilot continued his flight into known adverse weather conditions. The pilot announced to ATC that he saw a hole in the surrounding cloud formations and that he thought he could get through. This statement indicated that the weather was not visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and, as a result, the air traffic controller queried the pilot as to his IFR status. The pilot advised that he was not IFR rated. At 1621, the pilot was advised of more weather to the north and to the east of his position. It could not be determined why the pilot continued his flight in that direction. 2.2 The Radar Data Analysis of the recorded radar data showed that the pilot lost control of the aircraft twice and then regained control and climbed the aircraft to 9,100 feet asl before control was lost again for the third and last time. 2.3 The Aircraft Wreckage Examination of the aircraft wreckage revealed vertical compression which indicated that the pilot may have attempted to recover control of the aircraft just prior to impact with the water surface. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings Thunderstorm activity was present over Lake Erie at the time of the occurrence. Various ATC agencies advised the pilot four times of inclement weather that he would encounter en route. The pilot continued his flight into known adverse weather conditions. The recorded radar data showed that control of the aircraft was lost on three occasions prior to impact with the water surface. Examination of the aircraft wreckage revealed that the pilot may have attempted to recover control of the aircraft just prior to impact. 3.2 Causes The non-instrument-rated pilot continued flight into known adverse weather conditions and lost control of the aircraft. The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.4.0 Safety Action The Board has no aviation safety recommendations to issue at this time.